Linux needs to grow. Stop telling people it’s ‘tech-y’ or acting like you’re more advanced for using it, you are scaring away people. Linux Mint can be used by a senile person perfectly.
Explain shortly the benefits, ‘faster, more secure, easier to use, main choices of professionals and free’. Ask questions that let you know if they need to dual boot, ‘do you use Adobe, anti-cheat games, or Microsoft Office’, ‘how new is your computer’, ‘do you use a Mac’.
And most importantly, offer to help them install.
They don’t understand the concept of distros, just suggest Linux Mint LTS Cinnamon unless they’re curious.
That’s it, spread Linux to as many people as possible. The larger the marketshare, the better support we ALL get. We can fight enshittification. Take the time to spread it but don’t force it on anyone.
AND STOP SCARING PEOPLE AWAY. Linux has no advertising money, it’s up to us.
Offer family members or friends your help or copy and paste the below
how to install linux: 1) copy down your windows product key 2) backup your files to a harddrive 3) install the linux mint cinnamon iso from the linux mint website 4) use etcher (download from its website) to put the iso on a usb flash drive 5) go into bios 6) boot from the usb 7) erase the storage and install 8) press update all in the update manager 9) celebrate. it takes 15 minutes.
edit: LET ME RE-STATE, DO NOT FORCE IT ON ANYONE.
and if someone is at the level of ignorance (not in a derogatory fashion) that they dont know what a file even is genuinely dont bother unless theyre your parents cause youll be tech support for their ‘how do i install the internet’ questions.
Wanting people to know the instruments they’re using ≠ elitism
Everyone should be able to use Linux but that ain’t happening if you don’t teach them the basics of how to use a computer.
Saying it’s unacceptable that someone uses a tool without having interest in knowing the way it works outside of their limited usage fucking is elitism though!
I sure hope you know how to change the transmission in your car or have the tools to replace the bottom bracket on your bike or that you know how to replace an intake valve on your washing machine because it’s unacceptable for your to own these things and used them if you don’t! Heck, you must live somewhere, do you know how to build a house and maintain everything that can go wrong with one?
BSA ITA French/Swiss PF30 octa/isis I do them all.
I switched gearbox and driveshaft on a heavy van stuck on 20’ incline 5m away from a wall. Early 70s Dodge. Scary getting under there.
I use runit and/or s6 as init and service supevisor, no logind, no dbus, just a window manager. I have one disguised as MSwin, my friend hasn’t noticed in 7y it is not MSw. She says it is as good now as it was the day I installed it.
I’m not saying people should understand the inner workings. I’m saying they should understand how to use it or at least want to learn. I’m talking copy-pasting files, navigating folders, reading instructions, that sort of stuff. Read my comments before assuming my argument.
In your analogy it would be knowing how to use the steering wheel and the brakes and the basic rules of how to drive, and I sure as shit hope you know how to use them before you’re allowed into the streets in your car.
It’s like giving a book to a person who doesn’t know how to read and refuses to learn how to read. They don’t want to read, then they probably shouldn’t have a book. They need the book for whatever reason? Then they must be taught how to read.
